A Chef for All Seasons
If you could go to Los Gatos Farmers’ Market some Sunday with Ron Garrido, executive chef at The Watermark at Almaden, you might see food in a new way. His enthusiasm is catching, and his knowledge seems endless. He follows the seasons to grab each fruit at its peak — plums and peaches in warm weather, pears and citrus later on — and his sense of smell and touch help him pick the perfect produce to use in his kitchen in the upcoming week.
“It’s a big part of how I plan the meals for the residents,” he says.
Chef Ron grew up on a farm in the area, so he’s tuned in to seasonal crops and knows what to look for week by week. When you buy directly from producers instead of through supermarkets, he says, the food goes straight from the farm to the kitchen to the table. “You can’t beat that.”
With culinary pleasure and nutrition as his goal, Chef Ron whips up gourmet dishes, sometimes with someone special in mind. “One resident loves her potato salad, so we make that for her when the right ones are in season. Another resident requests clam chowder, so we make sure to prepare it when the ingredients are at their best.”
When you buy produce at your local farmers market, you get to know growers and have confidence in them. It’s a fun way to eat better food and feel like part of a community. You may even discover fruits or vegetables that are new to you. Chef Ron recommends chatting with vendors and asking questions. “They’re friendly people who want to share their produce with you.”
Try one of Chef Ron’s most popular recipes, and be sure to use the freshest, best ingredients you can find.
